Paddleboarders stand up for cancer victims

Six Cayman paddleboarders are planning a 24-hour paddle this weekend to raise money for cancer patients and their families.

Jasmin Muratagic and his crew will paddle along Seven Mile Beach from 8 a.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday.

The event is part of a growing, annual worldwide movement begun in Seattle by Troy Nebeker after his family was impacted by the disease.

Similar sponsored paddles will take place in communities all over the world.

The Cayman event starts at Hemingways beachside restaurant and Mr. Muratagic is encouraging people to come out and watch or join them for part of the day.

“The slogan for the event is ‘Go because you can,’” he said. “If you are healthy enough to do it, then get out and do it for those that can’t.

“That goes for anything in life, from going trekking in Nepal or just asking that girl you like for her number.”

He said the proceeds from the event would go directly to the families of people in Cayman suffering from cancer, in keeping with the goal of the original Seattle event.

“We have people in Cayman who are suffering, who have nothing, and we want it to go direct to them to pay for dinner or a CUC bill, to make life a little easier for a short time.”

Mr. Muratagic did the full 24-hour paddle last year. This time, the group plans to do it in shifts, with two paddlers on the water at all times.

“It is not physically that difficult, but mentally it is tough,” he said.

“The hardest part is between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., when you’re out there on your own and you’ve run out of things to think about. You’ve rethought your whole life six times over already. Knowing we are doing this for a good cause and for people in serious trouble is what keeps you going.”

A fundraising bingo night is also planned as part of the event, on Wednesday at Lone Star on West Bay Road, starting at 6:30 p.m.